Adult Acne Can Be Treated Effectively If You Follow Our Steps

Adult Acne Can Be Treated Effectively If You Follow Our Steps

 

Adult Acne Treatment

Adult acne is not uncommon and is on the rise. According to a recent study conducted by researchers at the St. Luke's Hospital in Chicago more than half of all women with acne did not experience breakouts or blemishes during their teens. Most cases of adult acne occur after pregnancy or during menopause when there is an imbalance in estrogen (female hormone) levels.

There is no major difference in the skin breakouts of teens and adults. However, teenage acne is associated more often with extremely oily skin. Adult acne can occur with a combination skin type. Combination skin types have zones of oily and dry skin. The T zone of the face ( forehead, nose, and chin) is usually oily while dry elsewhere. The oily areas are susceptible to the formation of acne. Daily care must be given to oily areas of the skin.

A blemish forms when sebum (oil) secreteted from the sebaceous glands mix with dead skin cells and form a blockage in hair follicles.Acne can cause different types of blemishes. There are three types of blemishes: black heads, white heads and pustules.

A black head results when dead skin cells and sebum block a hair follicle near the surface of the skin. The mixture of pigment (the protein) that gives skin its color from dead skin cells and sebum makes the blemish dark.

A white head occurs when a plug of sebum (oil) blocks a hair follicle deeper in the skin. White heads and blackheads can develop into pustules. Pustules that are near the surface of the skin usually break and disappear quickly. However, deeper, larger pustules require treatment by a dermatologist.

The basic treatment for adult acne is same as for teenage acne. Mild to moderate acne can be treated effectively with skin care and over-the-counter medications. You should keep your skin clean and free of oil. You may need to wash your face two or three times a day with a mild soap or cleanser. If you have a breakout, you may want to use a mild antiseptic liquid soap to wash your face.

A gentle exfoliating cleanser will help to prevent acne breakouts. An effective exfoliating cleanser will cleanse the skin of debris, excess oil and remove the build-up of dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. You should use an exfoliating cleanser at least once a week. Remember, it is the mixture of oil and dead skin cells that causes the blockage in hair follicles that results in breakouts.

The same words of caution given to individuals with teenage acne must also be given adults with acne. Do not over scrub your face with harsh soaps because they can irritate your skin and make acne worst. You should not use oil-based moisturizers in oily or blemished areas on the skin.

You should never squeeze a black head or a pimple because you may push them deeper into your skin. This causes a breakage in the skin which could then lead to inflammation. The no "squeeze rule" is of paramount importance to African Americans. This can cause your skin to increase its pigment production and replace the pimple with a permanent dark spot.

There are numerous over-the-counter medications that are effective in preventing, controlling, and treating acne. An effective medication used to treat acne is benzoyl peroxide. Topical applications of benzoyl peroxide kill bacteria inside hair follicles and reduce inflammation. Benzoyl peroxide comes in different strengths. Most doctors recommend that you start using a 2.5 % solution of benzoyl peroxide and then increase it to 5-or 10-percent solution, if needed.

There are many other products on the market that are effective in the prevention and treatment of acne. For example, there are many oily skin treatments on the market. These treatments have been formulated to decrease the production of oil by the sebaceous glands and make the skin less shiny. Some of the oily skin treatments have dual or triple action.

They decrease the production of oil, reduce hyperkeratosis (increased production of skin cells) and/or kill bacteria. Remember, it is the combination of oil and dead skin cells that causes the blockage in hair follicles. Thus, a good oily skin treatment can help to prevent adult acne. You should consult with a dermatologist if you have moderate to severe adult acne.

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